Chinatown Spofford Living Alley

Green Infrastructure Project: Completed!

On Monday, July 30 the SFPUC and Public Works teams were joined by District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin, neighborhood residents, merchants, community leaders, and local media at a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark completion of the Spofford Chinatown Living Alley Project.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), and San Francisco Department of Public Works (SFDPW) completed the Chinatown Spofford Living Alley in summer 2018. The project is one of eight green infrastructure Early Implementation projects (EIPs) designed to manage stormwater in a one-block alleyway in San Francisco's historic Chinatown district.

The project features flow-through planters that capture, treat, and absorb apppriximately 32,000 gallons of stormwater a year while greening the urban environment. Other improvements on Spofford include decorative concrete pavers; pedestrian-scale lighting and raised crosswalks at both ends to slow vehicles entering the alley; bollards to protect pedestrians from traffic; and bench seating for passerby to rest and take in the sights.

Project Statistics

Stormwater managed: 32,000 gallons of stormwater each year

Drainage area: 4,139 square feet of impervious surface

Green features: 203 square feet of flow-through planters

Additional Community Benefits

Revitalize historic Chinatown Alley

Enhance pedestrian space

Create more green space

Provide community recreation space

Beautify the neighborhood

Enrich Chinatown cultural traditions

Get Involved

Check out the SFPUC calendar for upcoming Green Infrastructure and other SSIP events coming to your neighborhood!